Current Issues

Short-Term Rentals Study

Under a motion passed unanimously on March 22, 2018 by the New Orleans City Council, the City Planning Commission has until July to approve a study that could lead to tighter restrictions on short-term rentals (STRs) in New Orleans. In 2016, the City Council adopted an ordinance to legalize STRs, creating a framework for taxing and enforcement. To date, the city has issued an estimated 4,500 licenses, while the website Inside Airbnb,which tracks STR activity around the world, shows New Orleans has about 5,200 listings on Airbnb alone, and 82.8% of these are whole house rentals. The City is revisiting their legislation as STR growth is expanding more rapidly than expected and with greater effect on housing affordability and residential quality of life.

“A recent study by Jane Place Neighborhood Sustainability Initiative, an affordable housing group, found that most Airbnb listings in New Orleans are for full houses or apartments. The group also found that a handful of property owners and managers control nearly half of the city’s short-term rental licenses.” – The Lens, Charles Maldonado, April 24, 2018.

The CPC’s new study will revisit STRs and may possibly look to include recommendations to limit the number of STRs per block, restrict the number of licenses a single person or entity can have, requiring residency and homestead exemptions.

Louisiana Landmarks Society applauds the Council for revisiting this issue and will be providing comments by the July 2 cut-off.

Timeline

· July 2 (by 5 p.m.). Deadline for the submission of public comment.

· July 3. Study draft made accessible.

· July 10. CPC considers study (starting at 1:30 PM) at its regular meeting – must be voted on.

Master Plan Amendment Staff Reports

From the City of New Orleans City Planning Commission

Below are the final Staff Reports for all submitted Master Plan amendments. Reports have been updated to include the City Planning Commission's recommendations from the January 24 and February 7, 2017, public hearings.

For proposed Future Land Use Map amendments, public comments are divided by planning districts. For Text amendments, public comments are divided by chapter. Finally, comment cards received at the October public meetings are separated and in order by Future Land Use Map and Text comments.

Future Land Use Text Amendment Staff Report Future Land Use Text Amendment Public Comments Current Text of Future Land Use Categories

Future Land Use Map Amendment Reports

Planning District 1

Report Map See Comment Cards

Planning District 2

Report Map Public CommentPlanning District 3 Report Map

See Comment Cards

Planning District 4

Report Map Public CommentPlanning District 5 Report Map

Public Comment

Planning District 6 Report Map

Public Comment

Planning District 7 Report Map

Public Comment

Planning District 8 Report Map

Public Comment

Planning District 9 Report Map

See Comment Cards

Planning District 10 Report Map

Public Comment

Planning District 11 Report Map

See Comment Cards

Planning District 12 Report Map

Public Comment

Council-At-Large Report Public Comment

Future Land Use Map Public Meeting Comment Cards

Text Amendment Reports

Executive Summary

Report See Comment Cards

Chapter 1

Report Public Comment

Chapter 2

Report ​See Comment Cards

Chapter 3

Report ​See Comment Cards

Chapter 4

Report ​See Comment Cards

Chapter 5

Report Public Comment

Chapter 6

Report Public Comment

Chapter 7

Report Public Comment

Chapter 8

Report Public Comment

Chapter 9

Report Public Comment

Chapter 10

Report Public Comment

Chapter 11

Report Public Comment

Chapter 12 and 13

Report Public Comment

Chapter 14

Report Public Comment

Chapter 15

Report Public Comment

Chapter 16

Report ​See Comment Cards

Text Universal

Report ​See Comment Cards

Text Amendment Public Meeting Comments Cards

Adopted Future Land Use Designations

#####

CPC Short-Term Rental CZO Amendment Vote June 14

Short-Term Rental hearing scheduled for Thursday, June 14 at City Council chambers.

Louisiana Landmarks Society opposes the recent re-insertion of non-owner occupied whole house rentals included in the recommended categories of short-term rentals as we feel it is counterproductive to the city’s goals to create affordable living in the city’s core, and creates de facto hotels in historic neighborhoods.

At the request of the City Council, the City Planning Commission staff completed a Short-Term Rental Study. The Commission forwarded the study to the City Council after voting to remove Principal Residential (non-owner occupied whole-house rentals) from the list of proposed short-term rental categories. Subsequently, the City Council voted on May 5 to direct the CPC to revise the Study, returning Principal Residential to the recommendations. Beyond the concern for whole house short term rentals, the Study does little to address enforcement, which is integral to protecting neighborhoods from a proliferation of de facto hotels. City Council is now drafting legislation based in part on that study’s recommendations. The Landrieu administration has also weighed in, in support of Principal Residential rentals, and has outlined an aggressive time frame for passage of an ordinance.

May 5 – Council motion directed the CPC staff to come up with a recommended amendment to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance to allow a wide variety of STRs, including Principle Residential (whole house) rentals.

June 14 – CPC votes on the recommended CZO amendment

June 23 – the vote of the CPC goes to the City Council to be received (but not voted on)

July 14- August 11 – zoning docket is on Council agenda, although Council can vote on the matter on July 14, July 28, or August 11.

July 28 – November 3 – Council introduces “companion” ordinance that would amend the CZO

August 25 – December 5 – Council adopts the ordinance, which would go into effect on January 1, 2017

On Tuesday, June 14, at 1:30 p.m., the City Planning Commission will propose a CZO amendment to allow all categories of short-term rentals. If you are able, please attend the 1:30 p.m. June 14 CPC meeting in City Council Chambers to voice your opinion. We will keep you informed of developments and future opportunities to share your concerns.

*********

City Planning Commission Accepting Applications for Amendments to the Master Plan through July 29

Last fall, the City Planning Commission announced it would begin accepting applications in 2016 to amend the Master Plan. The amendments are needed to update and the prioritize the City’s capital improvement needs, transportation facilities, environmental regulations, housing and land use policies, and other aspects of municipal functions. The Master Plan is a “City Charter-mandated planning framework for the core systems that shape New Orleans’ physical, social, environmental, and economic future.” Our City Charter requires a review of the Master Plan a minimum of once every five years, or in response to a disaster or other “declared emergency.”

The following schedule is set for the 2016-2017 Master Plan amendments:

Organization/Outreach (1/1/16 – 4/24/16)

Open Application Period (4/25/16 – 7/29/16)

Charter-mandated review and approval process (8/1/16 – 7/15/17)

On March 3, 2016, the City Council approved an Ordinance (No. 026879) establishing fees for processing and reviewing certain Master Plan amendments. For any requested changes to the Future Land Use Maps (FLUM), applications must be submitted with the required fees: $1,000 for properties between zero and 4,999 square feet, $2,000 for properties between 5,000 and 24,999 square feet of lot area, $3,000 for properties between 25,000 and 74,999 square feet, and $4,000 for those properties higher than 75,000 square feet of lot area. Likewise, there is a $1,500 for each application for Master Plan text changes Volume II, Chapter 14, the Land Use Plan.

Become a member

Support LLS's preservation advocacy and get 10% off gift shop items and many other benefits. JOIN NOW

About

The Louisiana Landmarks Society promotes historic preservation through education, advocacy, and operation of the Pitot House. The Pitot House is a site for exhibitions and educational programming that promotes LLS's preservation message.